Donald D. Crawford

MERRILL, Iowa -- Donald D. Crawford, 91, formerly of Merrill, died Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at the Embassy Care Center in Sergeant Bluff.

Memorial services to honor Don and celebrate his life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the Merrill Civic Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City.

Don was born May 8, 1918, in Clay Center, Neb., and was the seventh child of Milo and Martha Crawford. As a young man, he moved to Iowa with his parents and farmed in the Whiting, Iowa, area.

In the winter of 1945, Don met the love of his life and married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Wilson on May 3, 1945. Among his greatest joys were the births of their five daughters.

He farmed for much of his life, but also worked at Wilson Trailer Company in Sioux City for a few years. This was followed by the occupation he most enjoyed, that of a farrier. Through that business, Don touched the lives of many and will long be remembered for his skill with horses and his friendly and caring nature. He was an avid horseman, riding well into his 80s, and he also instilled that love of horses in his daughters and grandchildren. He truly lived by the "golden rule" and, through example, was his family's greatest teacher.

He was a member of Merrill United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his daughters, Patricia Corrie and her husband, Robert of Oto, Iowa, Donna Thompson and her husband, Melvin of Belton, Mo., Barbara Krohn and her husband, Mark of Sioux City, Susan Crawford and her husband, Thomas of Merrill, and Linda Crawford and her husband, Kevin of Glenrock, Wyo.; seven grandchildren including Donald Poulson and his wife, Elizabeth, Stacey Poulson and his wife, Wendy, Michelle Olsen, Todd Poulson and his wife, Janell, John Woodard and his wife, Janyce, Donald Woodard and his wife, Marjorie and Daniel Krohn and his wife, Michelle; 16 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; siblings and wife, Betty.